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Our ten most common fears... How many do you have? Posted on November 02, 2009, 8:24 AM | Zoe Romanowsky |
LiveScience reports that about 19.2 million American adults over 18 -- almost 9% -- report having a phobia or extreme fear. A phobia is a terror so intense it brings on panic attacks and the triggering activity or event is avoided at all costs. A person can also have fears that cause anxiety, but that may not necesarily cause full-blown panic.
LiveScience says the ten most common phobias are...
1. Snakes
This is strange considering how many people live in urban and suburban settings. Researchers think this might be evolutionary, but regardless, it's definitely one of the most common fears.
2. Creepy Crawlies (like spiders and other insects)
Apparently, women are four times more likely to report a fear of spiders. Scientists think this may also go back to our distant ancestors when women were more likely to encounter spiders and other bugs when gathering food.
3. Scary Spaces
Agoraphobia -- the fear of crowds or open spaces, and claustrophobia -- the fear of small, enclosed spaces -- are both very common. Elevators, bridges, public transportation, airplanes, sporting events, driving, shopping malls, etc. are all included in this. For some people, the anxiety is so great, they won't leave their homes.
4. People
This sounds a little funny, but it's the label LiveScience gives to social phobias -- which includes public speaking (often listed as the number one fear people have). Social phobias also encompass more general anxieties related to being with people, such as talking to strangers, networking, or being at social events.
5. Heights
Along with public speaking, this is one of the most common phobias. About 3-5% of the population suffer from it.
6. Darkness
Many kids are afraid of the dark, but if it causes extreme anxiety and becomes a full-fledged phobia, it's called nyctophobia and -- if untreated -- can last into adulthood.
7. Thunder & Lightning
Actually, this is more accurately called "weather" phobia -- an intense anxiety about stormy or potentially dangerous weather. LiveScience reports that this is more common then we think but people are too embarrassed to admit it so they keep silent.
8. Flying
About 25 million Americans report some kind of fear about flying. It generally breaks down into two main camps -- those afraid of crashing and those who fear panic attacks because of claustrophobia. Reason does little to fix it, but virtual reality therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapies seem to go a long way.
9. Dogs
An extreme fear of dogs is called cynophobia, and it tends to develop as a result of being frightened or bitten by a dog in the past.
10. Dentists
According to WebMD, 9-20% of people avoid the dentist because of anxiety or fear. People suffering from full-blown dental phobia avoid dentists at all costs and only go when faced with excruciating pain. I guess this is why so many "sedation dentistry" places are cropping up everywhere.
Some people are more prone to phobias and anxiety problems, but most people have fears of one kind or another. I'm surprised death is not listed here since it's a very common fear.
Unfortunately, I score about a six on this list. I can also get a bit freaked out on the open ocean while swimming or boating when I think of the depth of the sea. I knew someone whose fear of heights was in reverse... he was okay standing atop a tall building, but he couldn't go into cathedrals or anything with a super high ceiling. (He was fine outdoors, go figure.)
What's missing from this list? If you have (or had) a phobia or strong fear about something, how did you handle it? And how does your faith play a role in overcoming seemingly irrational fears?
